Autonomous Farm Vehicle Tire Pressure Response Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural machines, such as tractors and implements, face challenges in detecting tire abnormalities like punctures or pressure changes while operating autonomously, as human drivers can immediately notice issues but autonomous systems lack this capability, leading to potential damage or task inaccuracies.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a detector to monitor tire pressure and a controller that can adjust operations, such as steering, attitude, or signal transmission, when abnormal pressure states are detected, allowing the machine to perform specific actions like halting or adjusting position to prevent damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If the work vehicle travels via automatic steering, then automation and unmanned operation are achieved, but the ability to detect tire abnormality and take appropriate measures is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables the work vehicle to detect and respond to tire abnormalities autonomously without human intervention. The detector continuously monitors tire pressure, and when an anomaly is detected, the controller automatically adjusts operations or halts the vehicle, allowing the system to serve itself in monitoring and responding to its own operational health.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a closed-loop feedback mechanism where the detector continuously provides tire pressure information to the controller, which then adjusts the operation accordingly. This feedback loop ensures that the automatic steering system remains reliable by continuously monitoring tire conditions and responding to abnormalities in real-time.
2Measurement precision
If the driver manually monitors tire pressure, then immediate detection of abnormalities is possible, but continuous monitoring during autonomous operation cannot be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the mechanical/human monitoring process with an electronic detection system. The detector uses sensors to automatically measure tire pressure, eliminating the need for manual checking while maintaining continuous monitoring capability during autonomous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection system operates continuously throughout the work vehicle's operation, providing uninterrupted tire pressure monitoring. This ensures that tire abnormalities are detected immediately regardless of whether the vehicle is under manual or automatic control, maintaining measurement precision throughout the entire operational cycle.
3Productivity
If the work vehicle continues operation with abnormal tire pressure, then productivity is maintained, but damage to the tire or implement may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system takes preliminary action by detecting tire pressure abnormalities before they cause significant damage. When the detector identifies abnormal pressure conditions, the controller proactively adjusts operations or halts the vehicle to prevent further tire or implement damage, addressing the problem before it escalates.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides protective cushioning by preparing for potential tire failures through continuous monitoring. When abnormalities are detected, the controller implements protective measures such as reducing load or halting operation, cushioning against the harmful effects of tire failures before they occur.
Data Source
AI summary
An agricultural machine includes one or more tires, a detector to detect a low pressure state in which a pressure of one of the tires is lower than a reference range or a high pressure state in which the tire pressure is higher than the reference range, and a controller to control an operation of at least one of the agricultural machine and an additional agricultural machine to be linked to the agricultural machine. One of the agricultural machine and the additional agricultural machine is a work vehicle that is capable of self-driving, and the other one is an implement to be linked to the work vehicle. The controller causes, in response to detection of the low or high pressure state, at least one of the agricultural machines to perform a specific operation that is different from an operation to be performed when the pressure is in the reference range.